Watt's Up

Today:  September 28, 2006 -- OSC Colloquium -- 3:30 p.m. -- Meinel 307
Martin Tomasko, University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, will present Images and Spectra Obtained in Titan's Atmosphere and their Implications for the Properties of Titan's Aerosols and Surface.  Abstract:  On January 14, 2005 the Huygens Probe descended through the atmosphere of Titan and landed on the surface.  The Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer (DISR) instrument aboard the probe collected data from 140 km altitude to the surface including images of the surface, spectra of solar radiation from 350 to 1600 nm looking upward and downward in many directions, and images of the solar aureole at 490 and 940 nm in two directions of linear polarization.  The images have been assembled into panoramic mosaics extending from 0 to 96º nadir angles.  A video has been made showing the descent through the atmosphere toward a highland cut by steep dendritic drainage channels and a dry lakebed that shows evidence of fluid flow.  These images and those obtained on the surface after landing showing rounded cobbles in the dry lakebed imply the presence of occasionally heavy methane rain on Titan.  The spectra of solar radiation obtained throughout the atmosphere together with the measurements of the solar aureole yield the vertical distribution and variation with wavelength of the optical properties of the aerosols present in the atmosphere.  The high degree of linear polarization and the strong forward scattering measured by the solar aureole imply that above 80 km altitude the haze aerosols consist of loose aggregates of some 400 “monomers” of radius less than 0.05mm.  The upward and downward spectral measurements imply that above 80 km the cumulative optical depth of these particles decreases with a scale height of 65 km.  From 80 km to 30 km altitude, the optical depth of the aerosols varies linearly with height, the optical depth of the aerosols varies less rapidly with wavelength, and the particles are much less absorbing, implying that other material, most likely liquid ethane, has been incorporated into these particles.  In the lowest 30 km, the optical depth of the aerosols varies linearly at a different rate, the optical depth varies much less rapidly with wavelength, and the particles are not very absorbing, implying that liquid (and/or solid) methane has been incorporated into the particles.  Indeed, some recent work suggests that the probe landed in a region of light methane drizzle. 

Coming Up:  September 29, 2006 -- Physics Colloquium -- 2:30 p.m. -- PAS 220
(2:30 p.m.)  Chris Dombrowski, UA Physics grad student, will present Measuring the Physical Properties of Bacterial Flagella.  Abstract:  Bacterial flagella are helical elastic filaments 20 nm in diameter and up to 20 microns long. Under stress, either from the rotary motors which turn them or from fluid shear, a flagellum can change its pitch and even its chirality. These transformations have implications for bacterial motility, nutrient uptake, and collective behavior at  high cell concentrations. Motivated by recent theoretical  predictions concerning the dynamics of flagellar polymorphism, we have been developing experimental procedures, based on optical trapping, to measure the forces acting on a single flagellum during such transformations, as well as the fundamental elastic properties of the flagella of various microorganisms. These measurements will be able to test existing elastohydrodynamic theories of flagella, thereby allowing for a better understanding of flagellum-flagellum interactions, flagella-cell interactions, and collective dynamics in concentrated suspensions.
(3:00 p.m.)  David Pritchard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will present Atomic Physics Goes Solid State.  Abstract:  The main experimental objective in 20th century atomic physics was quantum control of an atom's internal and external quantum states. This led to high resolution spectroscopy, amazing time standards, and numerous Nobel Prizes. It now appears that the main experimental objective for the 21st century will be to combine many quantum-controlled atoms in various ways, for example to study outstanding problems in condensed matter or to make useful quantum computers. I shall describe several recent experiments on the road to significant condensed matter experiments.

Coming Up:  October 4, 2006 -- Practical Optics Seminar -- 2:00 p.m. -- Meinel 305
Rick Juergens from Raytheon will present a talk on IR optics.  The seminar is open to everyone and advance registration is not required.

Coming Up:  October 5, 2006 -- OSC Colloquium -- 3:30 p.m. -- Meinel 307
Majeed M. Hayat, University of New Mexico, will present Forty Years Since McIntyre's Avalanche Multiplication Theory: Current Implications on Ultrafast Receivers and Single-Photon Detection.

 

Richärd and Bauer Receive a Design Award for our West Wing John Greivenkamp sends word that Richärd and Bauer, the architectural firm that designed our new wing, just received an Honor Award from the Western Mountain Region American Institute of Architects at the Western Mountain Region Convention held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  The Honor Award is the highest award in the Distinguished Building category.  The AIA Western Mountain Region Design Awards program recognizes excellence in design, planning, and construction of projects located anywhere in the world that are designed by AIA/WMR architects registered and licensed within Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada or Utah.  The intent of the design awards program is to honor the highest standards of design in response to user requirements, site, context, climate, and environment. Each entry, regardless of size or classification, is judged individually on the basis of total design merit.  For information about other Richärd and Bauer projects, please visit www.richard-bauer.com/   Photo:  The very beautiful stainless steel letters spelling out College of Optical Sciences were installed yesterday afternoon. Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

Happy Birthday

Watt's Happening

more at
http://www.optics.arizona.edu/calendar/default.htm)

September 28, 2006 -- OSC Colloquium -- 3:30 p.m. -- Meinel 307
http://www.optics.arizona.edu/Colloquium/default.htm

September 28, 2006 -- AME Seminar -- 4:00 p.m. -- AME Lecture Hall S212
http://www.ame.arizona.edu/events/events.php

September 29, 2006 -- PhD Final Oral Exam -- 10:00 a.m. -- Meinel 701
Kevin Gross will present Assessing and Optimizing Pinhole SPECT Imaging Systems for Detection Tasks.

September 29, 2006 -- PhD Final Oral Exam -- 2:00 p.m. -- Meinel 701
Michael Lauters will present Organic Opto-Electronic Devices for Data Storage and Solid State Lighting.

September 29, 2006 -- Physics Colloquium -- 2:30 p.m. -- PAS 220

http://www.physics.arizona.edu/physics2006/news-events.php?page=colloquium_series

September 29, 2006 -- OSC Sports Friday -- 5:00 p.m. -- Location is TBD

October 3, 2006 -- PhD Final Oral -- 11:00 a.m. -- Meinel 701
Yong Xie will present Transmission Properties of Light Through Subwavelength Slits in Metallic Medium.

October 4, 2006 -- Special Seminar -- 11:00 a.m. -- Meinel 8th Floor

http://www.optics.arizona.edu/Colloquium/default.htm

October 4, 2006 -- Practical Optics Seminar -- 2:00 p.m. -- Meinel 305

The seminar is open to everyone and registration is not required.

October 5, 2006 -- OSC Colloquium -- 3:30 p.m. -- Meinel 307
http://www.optics.arizona.edu/Colloquium/default.htm

October 5, 2006 --  AME Seminar -- 4:00 p.m. -- AME Lecture Hall S212
http://www.ame.arizona.edu/events/events.php

October 6, 2006 -- OSC Community Speakers -- 12:00 Noon -- Meinel 307
http://www.optics.arizona.edu/communityspeakers/

October 6, 2006 -- Physics Colloquium -- 2:30 p.m. -- PAS 220

http://www.physics.arizona.edu/physics2006/news-events.php?page=colloquium_series

October 6, 2006 -- OSC Sports Friday -- 5:00 p.m. -- Location is TBD

Employment Opportunities in Optics

more at

http://www.optics.arizona.edu/employment/nationalopenings.htm

 

College of Optical Sciences.  University of Arizona Links to employment opportunities within the College of Optical Sciences can be found at http://www.optics.arizona.edu/Employment/osc.asp  Complete  position descriptions and application procedures are included within each employment opening.

Applications Engineer.  Edmund Optics.  Department:  Engineering.  Reports To: Applications Engineer Manager.  Brief Summary: Responsible for technical customer support as well as various engineering projects to include customer orders, catalog issues, and optical design.  Duties: Provide phone support for technical questions and product applications.  Various engineering projects:  Catalog production support.  Customer order support and design.  Optical lab testing and product application support.  Attend training.  Requirements: Min. BS in optical engineering or physics or equivalent experience.  Proficiency in basic optics principles and basic optical design.  Great communication, organization, and math skills.  Knowledge of company products and applications.  Proficiency in optical specifications and measurements.  Experience in the optics industry (internship, co-op, lab work, etc.  To apply, please send resume to:  Edmund Optics, 101 East Gloucester Pike, Barrington, New Jersey 08007.  856.546.9340 fax.  humanresources@edmundoptics.com

Laser Technician.  EV3.  At ev3 we’re committed to developing innovative endovascular technologies for coronary, peripheral and neurological applications.  Creative, competent people with a passion for enhancing healthcare around the globe have driven our success.  Join us as we grow by making a meaningful difference.  We currently have an opening for a Laser Technicians on our second (3:30pm-1:45am M-Th) shift. This position is located at our production facility in Plymouth, MN.  In this position you will program laser programs for new tooling and create new tooling when necessary; carry out the preventative maintenance process; set up lasers to run the production schedule which includes replacing laser hardware to run different size tubing, changing the laser parameters and beam profiles according to process requirements, verifying that the first part meets specifications, and utilizing troubleshooting skills if the first part failed first inspection; write protocols and reports and carry out the protocol; assist Engineers with new procedures and testing, which contribute to product and / or process development; work with Engineers to initiate the ECO process and order supplies and parts.  Qualifications:  2 year technical degree or relevant work experience required; a minimum of 2 years manufacturing background with hands-on medical device experience strongly preferred; and strong computer skills including MS Word and Excel.  We offer competitive compensation, generous benefits, and the opportunity to improve the lives of people everywhere.  For consideration, please apply online at www.ev3.net or send a cover letter and résumé to ev3jobs@ev3.net   EOE

R&D – Researcher, Information Technology Image Analysis Systems Developer.  Proctor & Gamble.  Level:  Researcher.  Positions:  1.  Position Type:  Full-time.  Location:  Mason Business Center/Miami Valley Innovation Center.  Hiring Manager:  Joe Miller.  Recruiting Coordinator:  Cheryl Laidig.  Are you interested in using your information technology skills to set up /install imaging systems and software, trouble shoot Imaging and Analysis Systems, and to integrate new systems for internal business partners.  If so, Procter & Gamble is seeking an enthusiastic team player for our Corporate Research & Development Analytical Organization.  This position is located in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Mason Business Center/Miami Valley Innovation Center.  This role is an entry-level non-management position.  This person assuming this position will be responsible for creating user interfaces and developing applications with other team members to be deployed in R&D, marketing, or sales environments.  Qualifications for this position include: Associates or Bachelors degree in Computer Science or Information Technology preferred.  Good communication and collaboration skills required.  Demonstrated solid application development skills in programming languages, preferably C, C++, Java, Matlab, .Net, or Visual Basic.  System / software setup and trouble shooting skills. Experience developing on Windows platform, and familiarity with Unix platforms.  Imaging/Image Analysis skills are strongly desired.  Experience with Windows, APT knowledge, Integration/Hardware experience, Web Analysis, photography or Color Measurement experience would also be an asset.  Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, refugee, asylee or lawful permanent resident.  Procter & Gamble is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  To apply, go to:  www.usjobs.pg.com   Choose: APPLICANT ENTER HERE icon.  Choose: VIEW JOBS & APPLY.  Choose: SEARCH CONTROLS.  Enter Keyword or Job Number: RND00000713.  Choose: SEARCH.  Choose: JOB TITLE (scroll down).  Or:  Go to: www.monster.com    Choose: FIND JOBS.  Enter Key Words: RND00000713.  Choose: GET RESULTS.  Choose: JOB TITLE (scroll down).

Tech Aide.  3M Corporate Research Process Laboratory.  3M has a small laboratory in Tucson, which is part of the Corporate Research Process Laboratory (CRPL) in Minnesota. In Tucson, we are performing R&D on vacuum deposited thin films. Experimental thin film coatings are deposited in a vacuum chamber on plastic film in a roll-to-roll process. After completion of the experiment, the coating chamber is vented to atmospheric pressure and the coated roll of film is removed. The roll is loaded on a rewinder machine for cutting of sample from specific locations in the roll. These samples are carefully labeled and then measured on various instruments. These measured results are analyzed to determine the parameters for the next set of experiments. Assuring the identity and accuracy of the samples and the measured data are critical to the success of 3M – Tucson.   Major responsibilities of the Tech Aide include:  Performing spectral measurements on thin film coating samples with the Aquila Instruments nkd-6000 spectrometer. Aide will analyze film samples and save/manage the electronic files. Aide is also responsible for updating the nkd-6000 processor with the latest Microsoft operating system and Symantec Antivirus updates.  Determining deposited film thicknesses using a Veeco 6M stylus profilometer. Aide will analyze film samples and save/manage electronic files, including transferring electronic files from the profilometer’s processor to the local file server’s shared operations drive.  Measuring thin film resistivity with a Keithley Resistivity Meter through Hall Effect equipment and four-point probe method. The Aide will save/manage resistivity measurement electronic files and ensure the connected computer is maintained with up-to-date software.  Preparing film samples from rolls of processed film for the above measurements. Specific to this is coordinating with Process Leaders and Machine Technicians to determine sample size, location, labeling and storage. Requires operating a motorized film wind/rewinder. Must be able to handle rolls of processed film weighing up to 60 pounds.  Maintaining and protecting from damage the coated film samples in folders and files and the associated measured data. (both electronic and film/paper).  Maintain a logbook of equipment and operating procedure checklists for the spectrometer, profilometer, and resistivity measurements.  Assist Project Leaders and Equipment Technicians and repair minor equipment problems as necessary.  The 3M Technical Aide Program is designed to provide the 3M technical community with temporary, part-time labor.  As a technical aide you will be assisting the regular technical staff at 3M in the performance of their job responsibilities.  The duration of this temporary assignment is intended to be less than 900 hours in any service credit year of 12 months.  It is not the primary intention of this program that Technical Aides become regular, full time employees at the end of their temporary assignment, although this will occasionally be the case.  Qualifications:  High school diploma and some post-high school technical education required.  Pay rate:  $13.00/hour .  Please contact Carrie Edwards @ 520-746-7060 or email resumes to cdedwards@mmm.com  Deadline for resume submission is 10/31/06.